Is multi-party cooperation and consultation not good for Uganda?

Mar 08, 2017

The multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is a basic political system in Uganda and ever since Ugandans voted in the referendum to have political parties, the NRM has really been calling upon other political parties to cooperate

By MICHAEL WOIRA

Political consultation and cooperation means that under the leadership of the IPC-Inter Party cooperation, all parties, mass organizations and representatives from all walks of life take part in consultations of the country's basic policies and important issues in political, economic, cultural and social affairs before a decision is adopted and in the discussion of major issues in the implementation of the decisions.

The multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is a basic political system in Uganda and ever since Ugandans voted in the referendum to have political parties, the NRM has really been calling upon other political parties to cooperate and also contribute towards nation building though some other factions of the other opposition parties have tried to be defiant to all calls by the government to seat and decide on developmental issues that can enable our country Uganda to develop. Cooperative relations between NRM and other political parties are based on the principle of long-term coexistence and mutual supervision, treating each other with full sincerity and sharing of all developmental ideas.

Above is what I think Ugandan politicians should be thinking about but am very surprised that many are thinking of non issues like coming up with Defiance campaigns, rioting over this and the other, throwing pigs at parliament, attacking one another on radio and television talk shows, organizing self swearing-in ceremonies and even openly declaring their own governments. Is this really what we call multi-party cooperation and consultation?, I have to broadly say no because countries like china have had such systems where all political parties joined hands and contributed towards the development of the country contrary to Uganda where opposition feels like demolishing whatever government has done through their usual riots.

In Uganda still, when a member of the opposition contributes to nation building by working hand in hand with the ruling party, he or she is referred to as a “Mafia” and many have been labeled opposition spies because of their good cooperation and relationship with the ruling party. The likes of Abdu Katuntu, Betty Anywar, Cecilia Ogwal and many more have been referred to as NRM cadres yet for real they are performing g better than those who don’t value multipartism and cooperation of political parties.

Fellow Ugandans, Putting aside personal pride, party flavours and ideologies is not a weakness. For what matters right now is a clear, consolidated collaboration that can champion the nation's quest to move forward without being crippled by corruption and prejudices and a misguided democracy.

What is of paramount and of significant importance is an anchoring on the principal of 'Unity in Diversity'. If any one of the opposition parties is not capable of collaborating for the greater good, then that party is also no good on its own steam either so in my view we should stop politicking and think outside politics where our brains will be directed to development and economic growth of our country.

The writer is a Ugandan Patriot

 

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